Lai Chau preserves the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group

The Thai people in Lai Chau live in all communes and wards in the province, in which the most concentrated are Than Uyen, Muong Kim, Phong Tho, Khong Lao, Pac Ta... When mentioning the culture of the Thai people, we cannot fail to mention the tight-fitting Ao Com dress, showing off the beauty of the woman's body with a prominent green belt and a colorful Pieu scarf. Or the unique festivals with strong identities such as: Nang Han, Then Kin Pang, Kin Lau Khau Mau, Xoè Chieng, Lung Tung, Han Khuong... The music is bustling with the Tinh Tau lute, the Then singing is melodious and clear. The Xoè dance, scarf dance, and fan dance are graceful, gentle and delicate. The cuisine is diverse and rich with many delicious and attractive dishes made from available ingredients in the Northwest mountains and forests: buffalo meat, smoked pork, sausage, grilled fish, and mixed wild vegetables. Folk games: to ma le, throwing con, hitting swallow, pushing sticks are all very attractive. Traditional crafts: weaving, net weaving, basketry and unique stilt house architecture…

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Anh ( Hanoi tourist) excitedly shared: I had the opportunity to go to Lai Chau several times with my family, and participated in experiencing some traditional festivals of the Thai people such as: Xoe Chieng, Independence Day activities in Than Uyen. I was impressed with the culture of the people here; the dishes were beautifully decorated, delicious; the Xoe dance was extremely attractive and captivating. The Thai girls in traditional costumes were very beautiful.

Through the ups and downs of history and time, the unique culture of the Thai people has always been preserved and passed down from generation to generation with love and responsibility. Because for them, culture is a precious asset left by their ancestors, the origin of the nation. It is these beautiful features and identities that have given people the motivation to overcome difficulties and strive to build a new life of prosperity, happiness and civilization.

Sharing with reporters, Meritorious Artist Lo Van Soi, in Cang Muong village (Than Uyen commune) said: I was born and raised by lullabies and songs from my mother and grandmother; growing up, everyone in the family taught me then songs, tinh lute, and writing. I always keep in mind that I must preserve my ethnic culture; losing culture is losing the nation. Therefore, in addition to collecting, writing books, and translating poems in Thai, I founded a then singing and tinh lute club to teach culture to the younger generation; and making tinh lutes. In recent years, I have opened classes to teach teenagers and children how to write Thai.

Faced with the intersection of modern cultures, many traditional beauties of the Thai people in particular and ethnic minorities in general are at risk of being lost. With the spirit of "Culture guides the nation", "As long as culture exists, the nation exists", all levels, sectors and localities in the province are interested in implementing many policies and activities to preserve and promote the cultural identity of the Thai people from the resources of national target programs, resolutions and projects of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee on cultural preservation associated with tourism development. In particular, focusing on opening classes to teach folk songs, folk dances, and brocade weaving in villages and hamlets; both arousing the love of culture among the young generation and creating sustainable livelihoods for the people. Maintaining the effective operation of Then singing clubs and mass art troupes.

Mr. Tran Manh Hung - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DOCST) of the province said: Based on the advantages, strengths, and cultural values still preserved in the Thai ethnic community, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism directs specialized agencies to build scientific dossiers to recognize intangible cultural heritages. Up to now, the art of Thai xoe and the art of singing Then and Tinh lute of the Thai people have been recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity; the festival of Nang Han, Then Kin Pang has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage.

In addition, to preserve the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group, the industry cooperates with localities to continue promoting the role of artisans in teaching the making of Tinh lutes, costumes, writing, and music. Every year, maintain and organize traditional festivals of the Thai ethnic group, creating a highlight to attract tourists.

In recent years, many schools in the province have built cultural spaces, including the Thai ethnic cultural space; established brocade embroidery clubs and Xoe dance clubs. Thereby, helping students have the opportunity to access, practice and spread traditional cultural values. Currently, the whole province has hundreds of art troupes and Thai ethnic cultural preservation clubs with the participation of nearly 10,000 members of all ages and genders.

It can be seen that, with the efforts of the Party Committee, the government, and the people's cooperation, the precious traditional values of the Thai ethnic group have been spreading and reviving. So that each xoe dance, then singing, and tinh lute will forever resonate, passed down to future generations; contributing to beautifying the enduring and beautiful vitality of the majestic Northwest border.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/van-hoa/lai-chau-bao-ton-ban-sac-van-hoa-dan-toc-thai-1322041